Over 40 West Virginia teachers gained firsthand insights into the science of natural gas and oil development

The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV) hosted its annual Science Teacher Workshop series in Morgantown June 5 and 6, equipping educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to integrate energy-related concepts into the classroom.

The annual event, hosted in Morgantown for the first time since its inception, works to bolster energy education by connecting science curriculum to energy applications across the supply chain.

“Our goal with the Science Teacher Workshops is to empower teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to educate the next generation of energy leaders,” explained Jim Crews, GO-WV Vice President and MPLX Vice President of Business Development. “By bridging the gap between science education and the energy industry, we provide the resources opening students up to career opportunities in West Virginia’s rich energy industry.”

The two-day workshop included a one-day trip to West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, where attendees toured the rig floor simulator and the Lane Innovation Hub’s makerspace and service center. Seven comprehensive sessions provided curriculum, resource materials, lesson plans, and engaging activities for teachers to reference throughout the school year.

With a focus on hands-on learning, teachers rotated through stations covering a range of topics including the formation of fossil fuels, exploration techniques, drilling and well stimulations, the refining process, and sustainability.

“We were thrilled to participate in the Science Teacher Workshop series,” said Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College.  “Our faculty and staff were excited to introduce methods integrating STEM into the K-12 curriculum to encourage the next generation of engineers, computer scientists, and energy leaders. We highly appreciate our partnership with the GO-WV to collaborate in these workshops, which play a crucial role in fostering a deeper passion for STEM and supporting communities in our state and beyond.”

GO-WV’s workshops are provided to West Virginia STEM teachers free of charge, with overnight accommodations and hands-on learning opportunities, materials and more included. All teachers completing both workshop days and a follow up lesson plan assignment will receive three Graduate Professional Development Credits through Marshall University for license renewal and/or salary upgrades at no cost to the teacher.

“I am thrilled to have participated in this year’s Science Teacher Workshops. It is a unique opportunity for STEM educators to expand their teaching practices with real-world references,” said Maureen Miller, George Washington Middle School teacher. “I look forward to implementing these new resources and activities in the classroom to further engage and inspire our students to pursue STEM and energy-related careers.”

For more information about GO-WV’s Science Teacher Workshops, please visit https://gowv.com/events/2024-science-teacher-workshop/.